Food Poisoning != Happy Fun Time

Regrettably, my normal posting schedule was broken yesterday by a bout of food poisoning. While the symptoms were quite unenviable, it did result in a nice chance for me to ruminate about future sensor technology.

As luck would have it, I was likely brought down by one of the local beers that I occasionally enjoy with dinner.

You may be aware that the current pinnacle of beer technology is the color changing label on Coors bottles. When the beer is cold, the mountains change from white to an inviting blue. This marks both a premium beer and and a satisfying experience (but seriously, it is a cute idea even if it lacks real improvement on the actual product).

The beer that is ready for battle (or work).

My sickness combined with the thought of the cheap color-changing-temperature technology got me thinking about the potential of including sensors in bottle that could easily alert the user of potability. Nanosensors could detect contaminants and unsafe organism growth and alter the color of the label or bottle to a sickly green or yellow. Perhaps the liquid could simply be turned to a bright red so if you poor a small amount, you know it is not safe to drink. Better yet, liquids could be transformed into gels so they would not be able to be poured.

While on the topic of reducing my responsibility for food safety, I am still waiting for the day when my fridge is able to alert me that my vegetables are rotten and should be expunged. Same with the milk. Even if it would simply alert me of a rank scent presiding in the refrigerator it would be extremely helpful (i.e. in the bottom left drawer, something smells very wrong). Instead, I am forced to maintain my poor custodianship of the fruits and veggies and occasionally notice a liquified pepper in the back of the drawer.

Granted that if consumer level nanotechnology is ever ubiquitous, the very need for such such inventions could likely be sidestepped by better seals, improved processes to maintain food, and possibly the automatic removal and recycling of spoiled goods.

In the meantime, I'll be more weary of my Chinese beer and hope for better luck in the future.